What Is Acarbose (Precose)?
If you have type 2 diabetes, your body doesn't make or use the hormone insulin normally, so it can't control the amount of sugar, or glucose, in the blood.
Acarbose is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, a type of drug that helps control glucose levels by slowing your body's digestion of carbohydrates (starches and sugars) in food.
The medicine is used along with diet and exercise, and is sometimes combined with other drugs.
Taking acarbose, along with adopting a healthy lifestyle, can decrease your risk of developing the serious or life-threatening complications of type 2 diabetes.
These may include cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack, stroke, and problems related to blood circulation; nerve damage; kidney disease; or eye conditions.
The medication is sometimes used to treat type 1 diabetes (the body doesn't make any insulin), and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Acarbose is manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1999.
Acarbose Warnings
Before taking acarbose, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:- An intestinal disease, such as inflammatory bowel disease or a bowel obstruction
- Cirrhosis of the liver or any other type of liver disease
- Any kind of stomach or digestion problem
- Ketoacidosis, a serious condition that occurs after an untreated high-blood-sugar (hyperglycemic) episode
Regular sugar (sucrose) won't work if you use it to treat a low blood-sugar episode while taking acarbose.
In case you need to treat mild or moderate low blood sugar, be sure you always have an oral glucose (dextrose) tablet to take by mouth.
You should know the symptoms of a high (hyperglycemic) and low (hypoglycemic) blood-sugar episodes and what to do if you experience them.
Taken alone, acarbose is not expected to trigger a low blood-sugar event, but it might if taken with some other drugs.
Tell your physician if you experience illnesses, fevers, injuries, or unusual stress while taking acarbose, because these kinds of events can change your blood-sugar levels and may affect the dosage you need.
Avoid taking a digestive enzyme that can make it harder for your body to absorb acarbose, such as pancreatin, amylase, or lipase. Some of the products that contain these enzymes are:
- Arco-Lase
- Cotazym
- Donnazyme
- Pancrease
- Creon
- Ku-Zyme
Your physician will probably want to check your glucose levels often while you are on the drug. Keep all appointments with your healthcare provider and laboratory for tests.
Always wear a diabetic identification (ID) bracelet to be sure you get proper treatment in case of an emergency.
Pregnancy and Acarbose
Acarbose is an FDA Pregnancy Category B drug, which means it's not expected to harm an unborn baby.However, there have not been adequate studies of acarbose in pregnant women, so you shouldn't take it unless you definitely need to.
You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
It's not known whether acarbose passes into breast milk or could harm a breastfeeding baby.
You shouldn't breastfeed while taking this medicine without first talking to your doctor.
Acarbose and Weight Loss
Acarbose may help people with diabetes lose weight, though the results of studies have been mixed.In one study, reported by the International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders, long-term use of acarbose resulted in modest weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes.
The exact mechanism was not known, but the researchers thought it may have been because people taking acarbose were less likely to be taking certain other diabetes drugs that can contribute to weight gain, and because of extra energy needed to digest some foods while on acarbose.
Acarbose (Precose) Side Effects
Common Side Effects of Acarbose
Tell your doctor if any of the following side effects become severe or don't go away:- Mild stomach pain, gas, or bloating
- Mild diarrhea
- Constipation
- Mild itching or skin rash
Serious Side Effects of Acarbose
Call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following serious side effects:- Signs of an allergic reaction, which include hives; difficulty breathing; or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Severe itching
- Severe stomach pain
- Severe constipation
- Diarrhea that's watery or bloody
- Unusual bleeding
- Easy bruising
- Purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin
- Upper stomach pain, nausea, or loss of appetite
- Dark urine or clay-colored stools
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice)
Acarbose (Precose) Interactions
- Any medications you take for diabetes and blood-sugar control
- Digoxin (Lanoxin)
- Diuretics (water pills)
- Estrogens
- Isoniazid
- Medicines for high blood pressure or colds
- Medications to treat ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
- Oral contraceptives
- Phenytoin (Dilantin)
- Thyroid medications
- Niacin
- Nicotine patches or gum
- Steroids
- Diet pills
- Vitamins
Acarbose and Alcohol
Alcohol can affect your blood-sugar levels.Talk to your doctor about consuming alcoholic beverages while taking this medicine.
Acarbose (Precose) Dosage
Take each dose with the first bite of each main meal.
Try to take acarbose at the same time each day to help you remember your doses.
Your dosage will be based on your medical condition, weight, and response to treatment.
Your doctor will probably start you on a lower dose of the drug and gradually increase it.
You will probably monitor your blood-sugar levels after meals and share the information with your doctor to decide on dosage changes.
The aim is to find the lowest effective dose with the fewest side effects.
Only people who weigh more than 132 pounds (60 kilograms) should take more than 50 milligrams (mg) per meal (150 mg per day).
The manufacturer recommends that no one exceed more than 300 milligrams (mg) per day of acarbose.
Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully when taking this medicine. Don't take more of the drug than is prescribed.
Acarbose Overdose
If you suspect an overdose, you should contact a poison-control center or emergency room immediately.You can reach a poison-control center at (800) 222-1222.
Missed Dose of Acarbose
If you miss a dose of acarbose, take it as soon as you remember.If you plan on having a snack soon, take your dose with the snack.
If it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue on your regular dosing schedule. Don't double up on doses.
Acarbose Pictures
